Uber has launched a new initiative that allows some of its U.S. drivers and delivery partners to earn money through “data tasks” during their downtime. This new program is part of Uber’s effort to provide additional earning opportunities beyond driving and food delivery, while also supporting the company’s growing involvement in artificial intelligence and data labeling.
Through the Uber Driver app, select drivers will now see optional digital tasks appear in the Opportunity Center section. These tasks can range from uploading specific images, categorizing photos, submitting short audio recordings, or entering data that helps train AI systems. Each task varies in length and complexity, and payments are determined accordingly. Drivers can complete these assignments when they are not driving or waiting for rides, ensuring the new feature does not interfere with their main job.
Uber has explained that the idea came directly from driver feedback. Many workers in the gig economy experience slow hours when ride or delivery demand drops. The new system gives them the ability to use that time productively to earn extra income. For Uber, it also helps strengthen its AI infrastructure by collecting diverse, real-world data from its global driver network.
Payments for these digital tasks are added directly to a driver’s account, typically within a day. The platform ensures that all tasks are voluntary, meaning drivers can choose whether to participate. The company has also emphasized that data privacy and compliance are priorities, as the new tasks involve uploading and processing user-generated content.
This move aligns with Uber’s broader business strategy to expand beyond transportation and delivery. The company has already established Uber AI Solutions, a division focused on AI development, machine learning, and data services. Allowing its drivers to contribute to data training provides a cost effective and scalable way to support that initiative.
Industry analysts view this step as part of a larger trend in the gig economy. As automation and artificial intelligence reshape industries, digital platforms are diversifying income options for their workers. Similar “micro-task” systems already exist in companies like Amazon Mechanical Turk and Appen, but Uber’s integration into a driving platform is seen as a unique approach that blends mobility work with digital labor.
Some critics, however, have raised questions about fairness and pay rates. They argue that while these data tasks can offer quick income boosts, the compensation may not match the time or effort required. Others worry that expanding digital work could blur the boundaries between independent contracting and structured employment.
Despite these concerns, many drivers have welcomed the new opportunity. For those looking to maximize their income during low-demand hours, Uber’s data tasks provide flexibility and variety. As the pilot program expands to more regions, it could reshape how gig workers balance physical and digital work in the modern economy.
Leave a Reply